The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-01
RELIGION In THE WOODS
The Gospel Services Conducted at Acton
and Bethany Camps Yesterday.
Hon. r. w. Thompson's Address at Bethany
on the Life of Abraham Lincoln and
His Great characteristics.

The hot weather sorely affected tho people at
| Camp Action yesterday All day the thermom-
| eter held itself at 9So with no variation until
evening, when the first really refreshing breeze
was felt The cottagers were out doors most of
| the time finding what relief they could in the
shade of the beautiful grove, but the heat as
intolerab.e there it was in the city. The
special trains did light business and
the crowds from points below the
camp also less than usual
vet the residents and visitors made
altogether gathering of five thousand people
About one-half of these took part in the religious
services, which occurred FIVE times during the
day, including the three sermons The other
two meetings were given over TO religious
thought, prayer and testimony. In the forenoon
the sermon delivered by Rev John Dewitt
Miller. of New York. He took for his text the
eleventh verse of the 18th Psalm, which
suggested that the word Of God was of
the highest value to man. That
which enters into our lives is governed by sew
eral considerations the most important of
which is that which will make them permanent
ly valuable. It is practice that enables to
attain the perfection of life, hence people ought
to exercise the virtues and graces it should
become a second nature IN using them. Many
introduced to it. Some men appear In the face
of it as if they did not have even the privilege
of speaking acquaintance with it. In the exer-
else of virtue the Bbe is an absolute essential
1t is the only code of morals and furnishes the
only revelations we have in respect to future
life.
That which we introduce into our lives ought
to be the best of the kind. That which we
make part of ourselves ought to have a peculiar
meaning for Ability that is useful in one
place may be of service in another In a
at 6arg AT Saa n m
sturdy would be worth more than the man
who could give the principal parts OF Greek
verbs. So il is with him in Christian life who
keeps the word of God In his heart The Psalm
list did this. but there men who hide wise
mems opinions Of the world, which is foolish
Some rely their own prejudiced opinions,
which is more foolish. and there are others still
who are saints at home and sinners when they
think no knows them. But the word or
God is to be hidden which means that men are
not to boast of their religious works. They are
to let their works praise them at the gates
Some men hide the word of God In their heads,
while others look upon the Bible only as
magnificent volume of poetry and history. They
are bigger fools than the drowning man would
be. who. when about go down for the third time,
stops to pass a comment on the rope thrown ou'
to him. Some delight in raising petty squad
bles to imaginary differences between the
Old and New Testament, and yet they Will give
their countenance TO cock and bnil hghts-
The Bible in mems hearts will keep tnem ten
der. The iuquisition would not have been pos
sble had the men of that time loved ana FOL
lowed the Bibles teachings. 1t is the " ora that
will keep men safe as it comes to us from our
Father full of love and counsel. In closing ne
urged the people to take it their hearts az the
best guide for this and the life to come
In the afternoon Rev. John H. Bedford. on
Nashville. preached what Think We of
Christi" He reviewed the history of the Savior
from the time of his visit to the temple at Jeru-
salem In this as in the subsequent events OF
his earthly to be found proofs of his
divinity. He dwelt upon his baptism and the
distinction that lay between it and That of John
Lr1 %h4 aDln (hrfaf mad a.
duced argument that established his claim of
coming from God.
The evening sermon was preached by Rev. DIR.
Martin of Madison. His theme was the re- alton
of the church to the world. suggested by rhe
eighth verse Of the twenty-ffth chapter of Exo-
dus. One might inquire why did not Moses wish
to make sacrifice in Egypt. and not in Canaan.
1t was Pharaoh's proposition TO have 1t done IN
Egypt. bu: then. now. the devil was DESTROYS
of keeping Gods people on his own
grounds. 1t is the temptation he places
before people to carry the world on
one shoulder and the church on the other
The church is largely responsible for this. as it
aims TO secure the support of wealthy and inf1u
entail men without requiring them to give up
the world 1t n mistake to think that the
makes no compromises nor should His people.
Moses said 1t was not meet for the children OF
Israel to make sacrifices in land where they
would be regarded abomination by the
Egyptians. 1t is the world now that throws
stones at professed follower OF Christ who would
leave the pray meeting for the ball room, the
alter or saloon. There is no safety for any man
except in Gods territory.
In the second proposition of Pharaoh. who did
not want Moses to go very far, Is still another
exemplification of the spirit of the world. 1t
is this spirit that says il you must be religious
do not be religious 1t means a compromise
and leaves Christians to ask how near they can
get to Satan's line without gong over it. instead
of asking how near can they get to the cross.
This afternoon the sermon will be delivered
by Rev. VIM. Terrence, d. D., and in the even
ing Rev. John Dewitt Miller will lecture on
THE Uses of Uginess."